A Cyclopaedia of Canadian Biography: Being Chiefly Men of the Time by Rose

Ottawa, and now county court judge for the county of Carleton, and was called to the bar and sworn in as solicitor in May 1878. In this year he began to practise his profession in Pembroke, but shortly afterwards moved to Renfrew, where he has since resided and practised with considerable success. Mr. Craig has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and was for over four years president of the Mechanics’ Institute, and occupied a similar position in the Curling Club. He is now master of Renfrew Masonic lodge. Mr. Craig is a Presbyterian, and in politics a Reformer, and is likely some day to sit in one of our legislative assemblies. He was married in New York city on the 22nd of May, 1879, to Lizzie Olivier, daughter of the late Judge E. S. Macpherson, and Elizabeth Balmer Penton, who was a daughter of William Penton, of Pentonville, England. Mr. Penton, the grandfather of Mrs. Craig, was a man owning considerable property in England, and occupied a good social position, but having taken a strange dislike to the monarchical form of government that the people of Great Britain are so proud of, he embarked in 1835 with all his family, servants, and effects to the United States of America. After residing there for some time he was induced by Lord Gosford, then governor-general of Canada, and an old friend of his, to come and settle in Her Majesty’s possessions. To this he consented, and took up his abode in Port Hope, on Lake Ontario; but feeling dissatisfied, he again returned to his favourite republic, and fixed his home at Utica, New York State, where he died. His descendants are very numerous, and during the late war many of them were found fighting on opposite sides. His grandson, a Federal officer, on one occasion chased his uncle, a Confederate colonel, with a view of taking him prisoner. * * * * * =Smith, John H.=, Manager of the Mercantile Agency of R. G. Dun & Co., Buffalo; though a resident of that city, may be fairly claimed as a Canadian, and one who has done honour to his country. Born in Portsmouth, England, June, 1840, when but five years of age he came with his parents to Canada, and the family settled in Kingston on their arrival. Scarcely had ten summers passed over his head, when both parents died, leaving behind them very little means. Until he was seventeen years of age he resided in the Limestone City, in the meantime attending the public school, which he left when he had attained his thirteenth year, and then made a living by acting in the capacity of clerk in various stores and in a law office. In 1857 he came to Toronto, and having resolved to learn a trade of some kind, he decided on becoming a printer, and apprenticed himself to the _Globe_ office. In this establishment he acted in the capacity of compositor and proofreader until 1863, when he gave up printing, and accepted a position in the mercantile agency of R. G. Dun & Co. (now Dun, Wiman & Co.). At this time Erastus Wiman was the manager of the Toronto branch of the firm, and Mr. Smith first met Mr. Wiman in the _Globe_ office, where, like himself, he had been an employee, and since then the warmest friendship has continued to exist between them. Mr. Smith, through strict attention to his duties, soon won the respect of his employers, and in 1866 he was sent to the city of Buffalo to open a branch office there. Since then he has managed the business so well that it has grown to large proportions, and not only does he continue to take charge of the Buffalo office, but he has nine other branches under his superintendence. Mr. Smith, having a large capacity for work, and realizing the great truth that the world had claims upon him outside the narrow walls of his office, took an active interest in the welfare of his adopted city, and we now find him greatly interested in several public projects. Among others in two land companies that have for their object the development and settlement of several hundred acres of land in the northern part of Buffalo, just adjoining the beautiful park the citizens of Buffalo are so justly proud of. This piece of land is now being laid out in villa park lots, under the supervision of Frederick Law Olmsted, the celebrated Boston landscape architect and surveyor, and it is expected that in a very few years this section of the city will be taken up and built upon by the more wealthy of the inhabitants. Mr. Smith is also interested with Mr. Wiman in his Staten Island enterprises, and his movement for bringing the Baltimore and Ohio Railway into the city of New York. Through his business ability and tact, Mr. Smith has acquired a large amount of wealth, and is now reckoned as one of the rich men of Buffalo; yet he does not forget the land in which his early days were spent, and where he struggled so hard to get on. We, therefore, find him spending a month with his family each summer among the islands and lakes of the Muskoka district, or at Gananoque and the Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence, where he enjoys the sports that those regions so abundantly supply. Mr. Smith is still a favourite among his Canadian friends, and whenever he finds time to pay a visit to Toronto or other city where he is well known he is always heartily welcomed by them. He is a member of several clubs in Buffalo, among others the “Idlewood” and the “Oakfield,” and is also an honorary member of several of our Canadian clubs. Mr. Smith has been an industrious and hence a successful man, and his example cannot fail to prove an incentive to many a young Canadian now setting out to battle with the world. He married, in 1863, Jane Reeves, of Toronto, and has now a family of eight children. * * * * * =Cairns, Thomas=, Postmaster, Perth, county of Lanark, Ontario, is an Irishman by birth, having been born on the 4th of May, 1828, in the county of Fermanagh. He was educated in a private school in his native place, and in 1851 he came to Canada, and settled in Perth. Shortly after his arrival he took a position in the _British Standard_ newspaper office, in which place he remained for some time. In 1861 he established the _Perth Expositor_. This paper he managed for about five years, when as a reward for his industry as a public man, he was appointed postmaster of Perth in January, 1866. Mr. Cairns is a member of the Board of Education of Perth, and is a member of the Methodist church. It is almost needless to add that Mr. Cairns is highly respected by the people among whom he has lived for over thirty-five years, and is a faithful public servant. * * * * * =Cairns, George Frederick=, Barrister and Solicitor, Smith’s Falls, county of Lanark, Ontario, was born in Perth, county of Lanark, on the 27th October, 1857, and is a son of Thomas Cairns, postmaster of Perth, his mother being Jane Meuary. He received his education in the High School of Perth, his native place. After leaving school he decided to make law his profession, and with this object in view he entered, in 1879, the office of F. A. Hall, barrister, Perth, where he spent a few years. Then in 1882 he went to Toronto, and entering the office of Watson, Thorne & Smellie, barristers, of that city, he finished his legal education with them, and was called to the bar in February, 1884. The same year he went to Smith’s Falls, where he now successfully practises his profession. Mr. Cairns is a rising man, and we have no doubt he will soon reflect great credit on his country. He is a member of the Methodist church. * * * * * =Wright, Aaron A.=, of the firm of Barr & Wright, General Merchants, Renfrew, Ontario. This gentleman, who is one of the bulwarks of the Reform party in Central Ontario, was born near Farmersville, county of Leeds, June 6th, 1840. He comes of U. E. loyalist stock, his grandfather and grandmother on both sides being U. E. loyalists. His father, Israel Wright, was a native of Leeds county, and his mother as well, her maiden name being Stevens, a daughter of Abel Stevens. Our subject was educated in a public school of his native country, and also in a select school under John B. Holmes. In 1864 Mr. Wright entered the Normal School, Toronto, and obtained a first-class certificate there. After this he became head master of the Gananoque Public School. In 1866 he entered the Military College at Montreal, and obtained a first-class military certificate of the highest grade. Soon afterwards he succeeded in obtaining a first-class Model School certificate for French and English for Lower Canada. Late in the same year he was appointed principal of the Model School at Lachine, and the Fenian troubles of that time impelled him to organize the Lachine company of light infantry, of which he was gazetted captain. These positions he held until his removal to Renfrew, in 1870, where he entered mercantile pursuits, which still engage his attention. Mr. Wright, ever since his settlement in Renfrew, has always taken an active interest in all matters relating to the welfare of the village and county. When he first came the place was entirely without railway communication, and he soon became prominent in an agitation to extend the line of the Canada Central to that point; the terminus at that time being at Sand Point, some sixteen miles distant. Mr. Wright addressed meetings, organized deputations, &c., until the point was carried and Renfrew was made the terminus of the road. Since that time, however, the Canada Central has become merged in the vast system of the Canadian Pacific. This was not by any means all of Mr. Wright’s railroad experience, for when the Kingston and Pembroke line was mooted, he took a lively interest in the scheme, which is now completed from Kingston to Renfrew. In politics, Mr. Wright is an ardent supporter of the Mowat government and of Mr. Blake. When the Reform Association for the south riding of Renfrew was organized, in 1875 or 1876, Mr. Wright was elected first vice-president, which position he holds to this day. He has often been urged to allow his name to be used for parliamentary honours, but, unfortunately, has persistently refused, business men of his calibre being sadly lacking in our legislative halls. Mr. Wright is the president of the County of Renfrew Horticultural Society, and has held that office since its inception four years ago; he is also director for division No. 2 of the Fruit Growers’ Association of the province of Ontario. For the past twelve years he has been chairman of the High School Board of Renfrew, his earlier experiences eminently fitting him for the position. His partner in business is David Barr, and it needs scarcely be said it is the most important and wealthy firm in this locality. They have recently built what is probably the finest brick block for business purposes in Central Ontario, which they occupy exclusively for the carrying on of their extensive trade. To facilitate their extensive and largely increasing grain trade, they have also erected the finest and best equipped grain elevator in the Ottawa valley. And in addition to all this, they were not only the first to introduce gas into the town, but were also the first to put it out, and introduce the system of lighting by electricity, being the proprietors of the electric light plant, with which they light their own building, besides furnishing it to other private firms, as well as to the corporation for lighting the streets of the town. Mr. Wright’s busy life has precluded the possibility of extensive travel, save that connected with business. In this regard, however, he has on many occasions visited the markets of Europe and this continent. In religion Mr. Wright is a Baptist, and as might be expected, believes in water as opposed to whisky in the warfare now being waged against the latter, in fact, was an ardent supporter of the Canada Temperance Act, and favours the still more radical measure, viz., total prohibition. In 1871 he married Jane, a daughter of Theophilus Harvey, of Lachine, by whom he has issue five boys and one girl. * * * * * =Stratford, John H.=, Brantford, Ontario, is a native of New York state, having been born in Oswego, on the 30th May, 1840, came over with his parents and settled in Brantford in 1844, where he has since resided. Mr. Stratford’s father, who died in 1884, was born at Sheerness, Kent, England, and was a gentleman of the old school. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Dublin, and was highly respected by the citizens of Brantford, for his charity and the strict sense of honour he had practised from the day he first took up his residence among them to the day of his death. When he retired from business in 1875, he divided his large fortune among his three sons, retaining a life annuity. His mother, who died in 1875, was also greatly respected and beloved for her charitable deeds. She belonged to an Irish family, and was niece of the late Colonel George Hamilton, for many years manager of the Canada Company at Toronto. John H. Stratford’s grandfather, Dr. John Stratford, and his uncle, Dr. Samuel John Stratford, both members of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, England, were known as eminent physicians in Canada. The latter, who was assistant surgeon in the 72nd Highlanders, sold his commission, and with a number of other British officers, settled at Woodstock, Ontario, where they received grants of land from Sir John Colborne, the then military governor of Upper Canada. In this town he successfully practised his profession for many years, and subsequently left this country, having received the appointment of emigration agent for the British government in New Zealand, where he died. Another member of the family, Elizabeth Stratford, his sister, married in 1839 Mr. Davidson, a celebrated lawyer in New York, who was appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, but died just before being sworn into office. Joseph and Charles, brothers of John H. Stratford, still reside in Brantford, Joseph being a wealthy merchant, and owner of “Stratford’s Opera House,” one of the handsomest in the province. John, the subject of this sketch, received his education in Brantford; and after leaving school, for a number of years up to 1871 he managed first the retail and afterwards the wholesale drug business of his father. In 1865, he formed with the late C. Gilbert a partnership, the object of which was the carrying on of a wholesale oil business; and this firm was the first to introduce on our Canadian railways the use of natural petroleum as a lubricant for car wheels. In 1868, Henry Yates was admitted into the partnership, and it then operated under the style of John H. Stratford & Co. The following year Mr. Gilbert withdrew, and since then the firm has been known as Yates & Stratford, wholesale oil and lumber merchants. In 1870, Mr. Stratford formed, with Donald Nicholson, since deceased, and Robert Chisholm, of Hamilton, a special partnership for the construction of that section of the Great Western Railway, from Glencoe to Simcoe, a distance of seventy-five miles. This piece of work, a very difficult one, owing to the Canada Southern Railway being in course of construction at the same time, almost parallel, was completed in 1872, to the entire satisfaction of the Great Western Railway authorities. In 1884, Mr. Stratford purchased seven acres of land, beautifully situated, overlooking and within the limits of the city of Brantford, on which he erected, under his own superintendence, an hospital capable of accommodating fifty patients and a regular staff of nurses, etc., at a cost of over $20,000. And on the 10th February, 1885, it was formally opened by His Honour, John Beverley Robinson, lieutenant-governor of Ontario, and Mrs. Robinson, in the presence of a large assembly of citizens, when Mr. Stratford handed it over as a free gift to the city of Brantford. Mrs. John H. Stratford and Mrs. Arthur S. Hardy also took a deep interest in the hospital, and through their united exertions, collected from friends $4,000, wherewith to equip it with suitable furniture, instruments, etc. It is called “The John H. Stratford Hospital,” and is without doubt,—being perfect as to heating, light, ventilation, laundry, stables, and other modern improvements—one of the finest institutions of its kind in the Dominion. When of age Mr. Stratford joined the Masonic body, and has continued to keep up his connection with it ever since. He is a member of the St. James Club, Montreal. He married in 1868, Sara Juson Harris, fifth daughter of the late T. D. Harris, at one time a prominent wholesale hardware merchant in Toronto. Mr. Stratford is a member of the Episcopal church; a thorough business man of strict integrity, and has been eminently successful in all his undertakings. * * * * * =Benson, Rev. Manly=, Pastor of the Central Methodist Church, Bloor street, Toronto, was born in Prince Edward county, Ontario, in 1842. His parents, Matthew R. and Nancy Ruttan, were of U. E. loyalist stock, and were among the early founders of Canadian nationality on the beautiful shores of the Bay of Quinté. To this, doubtless, may be attributed the sturdy mental and moral, as well as physical fibre, which characterizes the so worthy a son of so worthy parents—the subject of our sketch. His parents removed to the town of Newburgh, and here Manly received a good education at the academy, and prepared himself for the work of a teacher. At the age of ten years he was converted to God at a special service held by the late Rev. Joseph Reynolds, the superintendent of the Demorestville circuit, and he grew up under the fostering influence of the Sunday-school and the class-meeting, both of which had a marked influence on his young life, and spared him from the many bad influences that are apt to surround young men. For a few years Mr. Benson applied himself as a teacher, at the same time continuing his studies with the principal of the Newburgh Academy. The piety and cultivated talent of the young teacher attracted the attention of the members of the Methodist church of the town in which he lived; and having undergone the preliminary training in Christian work as a local preacher, he was recommended by the official board of the Newburgh circuit for the ministry. He was received on trial in 1863, and made his first acquaintance with the activities of the work in the western extremity of the province. For four years he travelled successively as junior preacher on the Romney, Chatham, Windsor, and Sarnia circuits; and having given full proof of his ministry, passing with credit all the prescribed examinations, he was received into full connexion, and ordained at the Hamilton conference in 1867. He then travelled, as superintendent, the Ridgetown, Newbury, and Cooksville circuits. After one year on the latter circuit, he was invited to the Centenary Church, Hamilton, as colleague of the Rev. W. J. Hunter, D.D. At the end of his first year in this charge, which date also completed the full pastoral term of the superintendent of the circuit, he was invited by the official board to take Dr. Hunter’s place as superintendent of the church and circuit; but instead of accepting, suggested the name of the Rev. Hugh Johnston, M.A., who was appointed superintendent, and with whom he was associated for the balance of his pastoral term of two years. The closing year of his three years’ term in this city was signalized by the building of the elegant and commodious Zion Tabernacle. From Hamilton he went to Stratford and St. Thomas, and spent three years in each of these places. When closing his pastoral term at St. Thomas, in 1881, he was invited to the pastorate of the Central Methodist Church (Bloor Street), Toronto. No transfers were made that year, and, on this fact becoming known, he was immediately and unanimously invited to the Brant Avenue Church, Brantford. On the closing of his three years’ pastoral term in that city he was again invited by the same church in Toronto, and entered upon his duties in the Central Methodist Church, Toronto, in June, 1855. Since he took charge of the Central Church it has greatly prospered under his care, both spiritually and financially. Its membership has increased from two hundred and seventy to four hundred and fifteen, and the congregation has also doubled in attendance. By special collections taken on the first Sabbath of each of the three years of his pastorate, $6,000 was contributed, being $2,000 at each collection, and, with other moneys in hand, $7,000 has been paid off the church debt, and the regular Sunday collections and pew rents also show a very large increase. In recognition of Rev. Mr. Benson’s services as pastor, the official board raised his salary from $1,500 to $2,000, and in addition to this have furnished and provided him with a comfortable parsonage free. It is almost needless to say that Rev. Mr. Benson is not only a favourite with the people of his own church, but with others of the same denomination in the city, in proof of which he has been unanimously invited, at the close of his term in the Central Church, to take charge of the large congregation worshipping in Berkeley Street Methodist Church. Rev. Mr. Benson has largely enjoyed the advantages of travel, both throughout the Dominion of Canada and in foreign countries. In 1871, in company with the late illustrious Rev. Dr. Punshon, he crossed the continent, and beheld the wonders of the Rocky mountains, and the Sierra Nevadas, the Geyser springs, the Yosemite Valley, and Salt Lake City. He also enjoyed the pleasure, or perhaps, endured the pain, of a sea voyage, and visited Victoria, New Westminster, Fort Yale, and places on the Pacific coast. In 1879 he crossed the Atlantic and made a still more extended tour through France, Italy, Switzerland, South-eastern Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, and Ireland; and during his stay in London was the guest of Rev. Dr. Punshon, who kindly helped him to see London in all its phases. After his return to Canada, Rev. Mr. Benson communicated the many spirit-stirring scenes he had witnessed in distant lands to appreciative audiences throughout Ontario, by eloquent lectures on “The Wonders of the Yosemite,” “Across the Continent,” “British Columbia,” and more recently, on “Memories of Rome,” “Switzerland,” “In Rhineland,” and on London, Paris, and some of the Italian cities he had visited. He is an earnest worker in the Sunday-school, and is always ready to labor for the Master. As a teetotaller he is most pronounced, and is strongly impressed with the idea that nothing short of the total prohibition of the liquor traffic will save this Canada of ours from becoming like many of the places he has visited in Europe—slaves to the intoxicating cup. Rev. Mr. Benson is one of the directors of the Grimsby Park Company, and has been director of services for the past four years. Under his able management this park has been an extraordinary success, and year after year it is becoming one of the most favourite resorts for those who seek quiet, with a moderate amount of physical and intellectual excitement, during the summer months. On the 9th of July, 1867, he was united in marriage to Julia, third daughter of the Hon. Walter McCrea, judge of Algoma county, Ontario, and has had a family consisting of nine children, seven of whom are now living, five daughters and two sons. * * * * * =Tilley, Sir Samuel Leonard=, K.C.M.G., Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of New Brunswick, Fredericton, one of the most prominent of our Canadian statesmen, is the son of Thomas M. Tilley, of Queen’s county, New Brunswick, and great-grandson of Samuel Tilley, of Brooklyn, New York, a U. E. loyalist, who, at the termination of the American revolutionary war, came to New Brunswick, and became a grantee of the now city of St. John in that province. Sir Leonard was born at Georgetown, Queen’s county, on the 8th May, 1818, and received his education at the Grammar school of his native village, and when he had attained his thirteenth year, went to St. John, and became apprenticed to an apothecary. Before beginning business for himself, Mr. Tilley was for a time in the employ of William O. Smith, druggist, a gentleman of superior intellectual parts, and who took an active interest in all the political movements of the day. It was probably from him that the future lieutenant-governor of the province derived his first lessons in political economy, and which served him so well when he was minister of finance for the Dominion of Canada, and we say, without being far astray, that Mr. Smith plainly saw that his lessons were not likely to be wasted on this clear-headed and enthusiastic young man. Young Tilley too, being sprung from loyalist stock, it is only fair to assume that whenever, if ever he should bring himself before the public, he would find a prepossession in his favour. He became a prominent member of a debating society when seventeen, and took a leading part in political discussions, and shortly afterwards became an able advocate of the cause of temperance. It may be said here that from that far-past day to this Mr. Tilley has always been loyal to his temperance principles, has always seized the opportunity to forward the movement, and upon all occasions has shown the sincerity of his character by the practice of his precepts. In recognition of his distinguished services in the cause, the National Division of the Sons of Temperance of America, in 1854, elected him to the highest office in the order, namely, that of Most Worthy Patriarch, and which position he held for two years. In enlarged politics the first heard of Mr. Tilley was in 1849, when he was the seconder on the paper of B. Ansley, who was returned by a good majority. He was one of the foremost promoters of the Railway League, organized to secure the construction of a railway from St. John to Shediac. In 1850 he was elected to the New Brunswick legislature for the city of St. John. Mr. Tilley was at this time a Liberal. The following year the Tory manipulators began to undermine the foundations of their opponents, and they seduced from allegiance the Hon. J. H. Gray and the Hon. R. D. Wilmot [Mr. Gray was afterwards appointed a judge, and Mr. Wilmot a lieutenant-governor], and these two leading gentlemen entered the government. On the day that their secession became known, the Liberal party was naturally shocked and pained at the treachery, but closed up their ranks and resolved still to fight the enemy. Messrs. Tilley, Simonds, Ritchie and Needham thereupon published a card to the people, declaring that if Mr. Wilmot, who had accepted office, was re-elected, they would resign their seats in the house, as they could not, in that case, represent their views. The electors, however, returned Mr. Wilmot, and all the parties on the card, except W. H. Needham, resigned their seats. Mr. Tilley then returned to private life. But he was not long to remain “a mute, inglorious Milton.” In 1854 the Liberals were triumphant, and Mr. Tilley obtained a portfolio in the new administration. From that time up to 1885, when he resigned his seat in the House of Commons at Ottawa, with the exception of a couple of breaks, he had enjoyed a remarkable lease of power, having been a member of the New Brunswick and Dominion governments during many long years, except the session of 1851, and part of the extra session of 1854. In 1856 he was beaten on the liquor question, but in 1857 regained power, and became leader of the administration in 1860, which position he retained till March, 1865. He attended the conference held in Prince Edward Island to discuss maritime union, and subsequently appeared at the Quebec conference, where he made a telling speech on the importance of the province he represented. The proceedings of the Quebec conference were kept from the public with the most zealous care, but one member belonging to a sea province told his wife one day that “it was no use,” he was unable “to keep it any longer.” He unburthened himself to a newspaper editor, when with the speed of the wind intelligence of the affair was spread through the British North American provinces. At once in the lower provinces a storm of opposition was raised to the scheme, and presses rolled out tons of pamphlets, placards, circulars and open letters, denouncing the scheme, and calling upon the people to rise and thwart Tilley and other enemies of his country. The ministry fell. The Irish were all the time rampant and unappeasable. They all remembered how Ireland had once been sold, and their representative newspaper became so bitter as to eventually overreach its aim. To help along the scheme and defeat the great booming of the Irish, fate brought along the Fenian scare. The government resigned, and Mr. Tilley was sent for to form an administration. A new election took place in 1866, and the _antis_ got a still worse drubbing than had fallen to the lot of the supporters of confederation. A short time afterwards Mr. Tilley attended the conference in England, formed to procure a Chart of Union, and he was, in July, 1867, made a C.B. (civil), in recognition of his distinguished services. He resigned his seat in the New Brunswick legislature and government to become minister of customs in the new Canadian cabinet. From November, 1868, to April, 1869, he acted as minister of public works, and on the 22nd of February, 1873, he was made minister of finance. This office he held until the downfall of the administration on the 5th of November of the same year. He then became lieutenant-governor of his native province, which office he held till 1878, when he took the field again, with the triumphant result so well known. In the new Conservative administration he became once again finance minister, and shortly afterwards framed the legislation with which his name will be connected so long as the history of Canada is read, namely the National Policy. On May 24th, 1879, he was created a Knight of the Order of St. Michael and St. George by the Governor-General, acting for the Queen. During the session of 1885, at Ottawa, Sir Leonard’s health having given way, he was compelled to relinquish his parliamentary duties, and seek comparative rest and recreation by a visit to London, England, where he gave attention to some matters relating to the finances of the dominion, and also considerably improved his health. On his return to Ottawa in the fall, he however suffered a relapse, and it became very evident to his friends, that he could no longer successfully cope with his departmental duties, and if he would prolong his usefulness, he must abandon parliamentary life. He accordingly sent in his resignation, which was accepted at a meeting of the Cabinet held on the 31st October, at which meeting Sir Leonard was appointed lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick for a second time, the term of lieutenant-governor Wilmot having expired several months before. On his return to his native province, he was accorded a hearty reception by the people among whom he had grown up who gladly welcomed him back to the position he had so worthily filled from 1873 to 1878. He was sworn into office in the legislative council chamber at Fredericton, on the 13th November, by the chief justice of the province, in the presence of a large number of prominent persons, who had assembled to witness the ceremony. It may here be stated that in December following, the Liberal-Conservative Club of St. John, N.B., was presented by Mr. Rogerson, with a bust of Sir Leonard, on which occasion C. A. Everett, then M.P. for the city, who had known him from boyhood, delivered an address in which he sketched his career, and spoke in the most complimentary terms of his great public services. It may also be stated that before Sir Leonard entered upon his duties as lieutenant-governor, he sent the following farewell letter to his constituents, addressed to the Hon. T. R. Jones, M.L.C., chairman of the Conservative Election Committee, in St. John, in the following kindly tones:— =St. Andrews, Nov. 9, 1885.—My Dear Mr. Jones=,—I understand there is to be a meeting of our friends in the city to-morrow night, to select a candidate for the vacancy caused by my resignation. I avail myself of the opportunity thus offered to address a few words to the electors who may there be present. When in 1882 the electors of the city returned me to parliament for another term, I then intimated to them that it was probably the last time that I would be a candidate for their suffrages, but I then hoped that I would be spared, and my health permit of my remaining in parliament and in the government until the next general election. But I had not taken into account the _wear and tear_ to body and mind, to which I would necessarily continue to be subjected in the discharge of my parliamentary and departmental duties. My health was completely broken down last winter, but after a serious operation there was a hope that I might continue my work for a short time longer. I regret that my symptoms of late have been such that I have been forced to the conclusion that my only chance of a measure of health, and possibly a few more years of life, is in taking comparative rest and relief from the mental strain to which I have of late years been subjected. I feel certain that my many indulgent friends would cheerfully, in view of my long service, accord me that rest. It is difficult to find words to express the very great regret that I have felt, and still feel, at being compelled to take that course. I took great pleasure in the work of my department, and I flatter myself that I have been able to perform it in a way that was acceptable to a majority of the people. My relations with my constituents were pleasant, and I may be pardoned if I at this time remark that recent events have given evidence that my regard for them is reciprocated. To say good-bye to the men who have been so true and faithful to me for more than a third of a century is not pleasant, but it must be said. My colleagues in the government have placed me in a position where my responsibilities are not great, but where I hope I may still be able to do something for my native province and for my country. Thanking one and all for their unwavering confidence in the past, I still wish to be considered as their friend. By causing this to be read you will much oblige, Yours sincerely, (Sd.) S. L. TILLEY. Sir Leonard and Lady Tilley visited Toronto, the Queen City of the West, in May, 1887, and spent a week among their many friends there, who were overjoyed at Sir Leonard’s improved health, and while here they took part in the festivities so lavishly bestowed on the Governor-General, Lord Lansdowne, and his party, who, at the time, were enjoying the hospitality of the citizens. Sir Leonard Tilley has been twice married, first to Julia Ann, daughter of James T. Hanford, of St. John, N.B.; and second, in 1867, to Alice, eldest daughter of Z. Chipman, of St. Stephen, N.B. Sir Leonard Tilley’s career has been an honour to his country, and one that young men who aim to do well in public life should seek to remember and imitate. * * * * * =Cluxton, William=, Peterboro’, Ontario, was born in Dundalk, county of Louth, Ireland, on the 31st of March, 1819. When but six years of age his father died, and six years later his mother was also removed by death. His education had been carefully looked after by his mother. On the break-up of the family, William, the subject of this sketch, went to reside with an uncle and aunt who was in business in Cootehill, Cavan county, and this worthy couple soon afterwards, having determined to improve their condition, emigrated to America, taking with them the orphan lad. Arrived in Canada, the family located themselves on a farm near the then small village of Peterboro’, but now one of the most thriving towns in the province. Here he soon discovered that nature never intended him to spend his life on a farm. Therefore, with the consent of his relatives—long deceased, and of whom he still speaks with the utmost affection—young as he was, and without a single cent in the world, he sought and obtained a very humble situation in the employment of the late John Hall, father of the late Judge Hall, who was then the leading merchant in the village; and in this place he remained for some time, gradually acquiring knowledge. In 1835, after having given the utmost satisfaction to all who had reposed trust in him, Mr. Cluxton accepted a position in the dry goods store of John R. Benson, and subsequently became the sole manager of his store on Aylmer street. Here, after business hours, he devoted himself so earnestly and labouriously to the cultivation of letters and of music, that he soon became remarkable for his attainments, especially in the latter. In 1836, such flattering offers had been made to him, that he was induced to leave Peterboro’ and take charge, in Port Hope, of the business of the late John Crawford, a wealthy and well-known merchant. In this place, however, from indisposition, being then only seventeen years of age, he remained but one month, and again returned to Peterboro’ to take sole charge of a branch of that gentleman’s business which had been established there, and that was not, it seemed, succeeding so well as desired. Here his management became so successful, that in three years he found himself the sole buyer for all of Mr. Crawford’s establishments, and this position he held until the death of that gentleman, when he was appointed by the trustees of the estate to wind up the business, which he did to their entire satisfaction. In 1842, and after some years of the most unwearied and honourable toil, Mr. Cluxton purchased a stock of general goods, and launched forth his bark in Peterboro’ on his own account. From that time to the present, his success has been of the most marked character, although it may be fairly supposed that he has met, like all others in business, with occasional reverses by the way. In 1872, considering his means sufficiently ample, he retired from the drygoods business. One of its branches established in Lindsay he disposed to a clerk, who had come to him a mere lad, but who now, under his strict and able training, has become one of the wealthiest and best business men in that town. To two of his sons and another clerk he sold the Peterboro’ establishment; but he continued his operations in produce, and of late years has only done sufficient to occupy his mind, so as to prevent the change from an active business life to one of leisure having an injurious effect. For thirty years or more he moved the principal part of the grain along the whole line of railway from Lindsay to Lake Ontario, his transactions amounting to half a million annually. In 1852 he became manager of the Peterboro’ branch of the Commercial Bank of Canada, which position he held for eight years, without having lost a single dollar to the institution, resigning it only because of its wear and tear, and because of his desire to visit Europe for the sake of his health—which visit he made in 1862, accompanied by his wife and a portion of his family. When he did withdraw from this post, however, the estimation in which he was held by the directors may be gathered from the fact that he was appointed confidential adviser to the new manager. Few men in Canada have ever held so many offices of important public trust as Mr. Cluxton, and no man in the whole Dominion can boast of a more honourable record or name. He was for years president of the Midland Railway Company, and has been president of the Marmora Mining Company, the Little Lake Cemetery Company, the Port Hope and Peterboro’ Gravel Road Company, and the Peterboro’ Water Works Company. He has in his time occupied seats in the town and in the county council, and is at present one of the commissioners of the town trust. He took a lively interest in the education of the young, and for twenty-five years was an active member of the school board. He is captain in the Sedentary militia, and in 1872 he was chosen to represent the people of West Peterboro’ in the House of Commons. Mr. Cluxton is a Liberal-Conservative in politics. In private life he is neither banker, merchant nor politician, but simply one of the great brotherhood of mankind, who makes common cause with his numerous tenants and his friends, as well as with the fatherless children and the widow. * * * * * =Falconbridge, William Glenholme=, M.A., Q.C., Barrister, Toronto, was born on 12th May, 1846. He is the eldest son of John Kennedy Falconbridge, J.P., of Richmond Hill, in the county of York, a very well known and highly respected retired merchant, who for many years carried on a large and successful business in the counties of York and Simcoe. The subject of this sketch received his chief preliminary training at the Barrie Grammar School, and at the Model Grammar School for Upper Canada, and matriculated with a general proficiency scholarship in the University of Toronto in 1862. His course at the University was one of rather unusual distinction, inasmuch as there was hardly any department in the curriculum in which he did not at some period obtain first-class honours. After winning college prizes and university scholarships in each year, he graduated B.A. in 1866, with a gold medal. He then filled for a year the chair of professor of modern languages in Yarmouth College, N.S., and returned to Toronto on being appointed lecturer on Italian and Spanish in University College, which position he occupied for one year. In 1868, he commenced the study of law in the office of Patton, Osler and Moss, and was called to the bar in 1871. (While he was a student at law he entered the Military School, which was then established in Toronto, as a gentleman cadet, and in due course obtained his certificate of fitness for a captain’s commission in the active militia—under the instructions of the officers of Her Majesty’s 29th regiment of foot). On the 1st of July, 1871, the firm of Harrison, Osler and Moss was formed, the members of which were the late Chief Justices Harrison and Moss; the present Justice Osler, Charles Moss, Q.C., W. A. Foster, Q.C., and Mr. Falconbridge. He was examiner in the University of Toronto for several years, and was elected registrar in 1872, and held that office until 1881, when he resigned and was immediately elected by his fellow graduates a member of the senate of that institution, and again elected at the head of the poll in 1886. In 1885, he was elected a bencher of our only Inn of Court—the Law Society of Upper Canada,—and was re-elected at the general election in 1886, ranking No. six, out of the thirty successful candidates, those who received a larger number of votes being W. R. Meredith, Charles Moss, Dalton McCarthy, C. Robinson, and B. M. Britton. He was gazetted as one of Her Majesty’s counsel in